Don't forget your universal visual phrasebook! A new travel book

Does anyone stresses when they go on holiday or away for business as to what to take with them? It is everyone’s nightmare. Here is an exhaustive list that will include your new best friend Universal Visual Phrasebook.

1 - Holiday packing
2- Tropical cyclones
3- Travel insurance
4- Travel money

1- Holiday packing

Media

• Cellphone and charger
• Digital camera, batteries, memory cards, manual
• iPod /MP3 player and headphones, batteries, mini-speakers
• Camera case
• Foreign-language dictionary or phrase book
• Journal/notebook and pen
• Maps and directions
• Mini-DVD player or DVD-capable laptop and DVDs
• Reading material
• Travel guide(s)
• Underwater camera

Medical

• Antibiotic cream
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Band-Aids
• Birth control
• Bug repellent
• Cortisone 1% anti-itch cream
• Extra pair of eyeglasses
• For cruisers: Sea-sickness bands or pills
• Lubricant
• Pain reliever
• Prescription medicines

Money & Documents

• Addresses for sending postcards/e-mail
• Auto insurance card
• Business cards
• Cash
• Copy of marriage license
• Copy of medical history, if necessary
• Copy of vacation packing list
• Driver’s license/international driver’s license
• Emergency numbers and embassy address
• Frequent flyer/frequent guest cards
• Paper airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
• Passports and visas, if necessary
• Photo ID
• Pre-paid phone card
• Travelers checks and receipt (keep separate)
• Vaccination certificates, if required
• Vouchers/coupons/tickets
• Your itinerary

Miscellaneous/Extras

• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Bubble bath
• Binoculars
• Currency converter
• Duct tape
• Keys
• Krazy Glue
• Lint roller
• Luggage locks approved by TSA
• Massage oil
• Plastic Zip-Loc bags
• Playing cards
• Q-Tips
• Sports gear (tennis racquets, golf clubs, swim goggles)
• Sunscreen/SPF
• Sunglasses
• Travel alarm clock
• Travel candles
• Umbrella
• Zip ties

HIS VACATION PACKING LIST ITEMS

Menswear

• Athletic shoes
• Belts
• Boxers / Briefs
• Casual shirts
• Dress shoes
• Hat
• Oxford shirts
• Pants
• Pajamas / Robe
• Sandals
• Shirts
• Shorts
• Sports jacket
• Swim wear
• Tie
• T-shirts / Undershirts
• Workout clothes

Men’s Toiletries

• Comb / Brush
• Deodorant
• Floss
• Lip balm
• Rogaine if necessary
• Shaving kit / Shaving Cream
• Shampoo / Conditioner / Styling Products
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash

HER HOLIDAY PACKING LIST ITEMS

Women’s Clothing and Accessories

• Bathing suit
• Bras
• Panties and/or thongs
• Lingerie
• Costume jewelry — earrings, necklace, bracelets
• Fake diamond engagement ring (leave the real one in a safety-deposit box till you return)
• Dress
• Heels
• Pareo/sarong/big scarf
• Robe
• Sandals
• Shorts/Capris
• Skirt
• Slacks
• Slip/Bodyslimmer
• Sneakers or walking shoes
• Socks
• Stylish shirt
• Sweater
• Straw/wide-brimmed hat
• Tank/halter/sleeveless tops
• Workout clothes

Sundries

• Acne control product
• Baby powder
• Blow dryer/straightening iron
• Comb/Brush
• Cosmetic case/makeup bag
• Deodorant
• Depilatory
• Eyeliner
• Eye Shadow
• Lipsticks
• Blush
• Mascara
• Makeup remover
• Facial cleanser
• Moisturizer/SPF
• Tampons
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash
• Dental floss
• Shampoo/conditioner/styling products
• Scrunchies
• Tweezers

For information, the international visual translation book is made of eight themes that will help you communicate abroad without speaking the language, which includes transport, health, accommodation, restaurant, finance, buying, leisure and communication. Click here to find more information about the book.

2- Tropical Cyclones

When and where do tropical cyclones occur?

Tropical cyclones, also called typhoons and hurricanes, usually occur at predictable times of year in distinct parts of the world:

• Atlantic/Caribbean - the hurricane season is normally from June - November (averages 8-15 storms per season)
• Pacific/South East Asia region - the tropical cyclone season is normally from May – November (averages 15-20 storms per season)
• Far East, South Pacific and Australia - the tropical cyclone and typhoon season is normally from November – April (averages 10-20 storms per season)
• Northern India tropical cyclones usually occur from April - June and September – November
• East Coast of Africa normally experiences tropical cyclones from November – April.

What to do if a tropical cyclone is coming?

It’s difficult to accurately predict where, when and at what strength a tropical cyclone will strike, as they often veer off-course, change their tracking speed and intensify or weaken quite suddenly.It is advisable to  should follow local advice which in some cases may be to leave the immediate area if a storm is heading your way.

If you are in a cyclone region during the tropical cyclone season:

• regularly check or subscribe to our country travel advice
• monitor local radio, TV and press
• keep in touch with your travel/tour operator
• register with the local British Embassy
• follow local advice – and leave the area if advised
• remember that airports and hotels may shut down if a hurricane approaches.

3- Travel insurance

The real cost when things go wrong

An emergency abroad can be extremely expensive. If you need to be returned to the UK it could cost you thousands of pounds, unless you are adequately insured:

• £35-45,000 - air ambulance from USA’s East coast
• £12-16,000 - air ambulance from the Canary Islands
• £15-20,000 - scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort from Australia

Figures supplied by FirstAssist Services Ltd.

Remember: the British Embassy or High Commission will not pay for this.

What should my travel insurance policy cover?

• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad – more infomation on medical and health cover
• 24 hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property
• lost and stolen possessions cover
• cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover
• extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as jet skiing.

The policy should cover the whole time that you’re away.

Your policy may also have:

• personal accident cover
• legal expenses cover
• financial protection if your airline goes bankrupt before or during your trip.

Many insurers will extend cover if you ask them. If not, shop around for a specialist policy.

Travel insurance buying tips

• shop around to find a good price and the right product rather than opting to travel without cover
• cheaper policies will usually have less cover – for some the price seems most important, but is it worth the initial saving?
• consider annual multi-trip insurance if you make several trips a year – you’ll save time and money.

Cancelling or cutting a trip short

A good insurance policy will cover you for cancelling or cutting a trip short. Check carefully to see exactly what you’re covered for:

• accident
• illness
• pregnancy (unknown when you buy the policy)
• jury service or witness summons
• home emergency: fire, storm or flood, burglary
• redundancy
• strikes
• bad weather – affects the departure of flights and ships.

Ensure your policy:

• will refund the full cost of your holiday
• pays out if you need to cancel or cut short a trip because you fall ill for example
• covers pre-paid expenses such as excursions
• covers extra costs incurred to get home

4- Travel money

Before you go

• get some local currency - order less common currencies a week in advance
• order a mixture of cash and travellers’ cheques
• write down the numbers on your travellers’ cheques
• write down your credit card numbers and expiry dates – leave a copy at home
• check your credit card is valid in the country you’re visiting
• note your credit card’s emergency cancellation phone number
• take enough money to cover emergencies 

When you’re away

• familiarise yourself with the local currency as soon as you arrive
• don’t carry more money than you need for the day/evening
• if you need to carry a lot of cash ask your partner or friend to carry some for you
• keep a small amount of cash in your wallet and the rest in a secure money belt or inside pocket
• if you have several credit/debit cards, only take one out with you
• leave your cash, cards and travellers’ cheques in a hotel safe – check it is secure
• don't pass on any personal (e.g bank) details unless you are confident the request is genuine as financial scams are becoming increasingly common worldwide.

 

If you have any general enquiries you can also drop us a line at info@skippyglobetrotter.com
If you have any enquiries regarding an order that you have placed, please contact us at orders@skippyglobetrotter.com